Town Quay Marina Southampton?

[Dockhead]

My berthing licence is up for renewal and as usual I am casting about for a better deal than what I currently have on the lovely but expensive Hamble. I will have big expenses this year upgrading rigging and sails so this would be a good year to save a little money on berthing.

I thought about Poole Harbour (as someone else did who was posting today) where I have passed many happy days and nights as a visitor, but the access from London and from Heathrow is so much worse than Southampton that I have now excluded this.

I notice that Town Quay Marina in Southampton is considerably cheaper than the usual commercial Solent marinas. Is it so bad? Anyone have any experience there? The location is excellent -- walking distance from the fleshpots of Soton, excellent train, bus and automobile access from London and Heathrow.

 

[prv]

I believe Town Quay is owned by ABP as a sideline from operating the container terminal, fruit berth, etc, which I guess is why it's cheaper than MDL et al. I've taken charter boats from there a few times, several years ago now, and it seemed fine. Only obvious downside is that there's nowhere for a winter haulout, but I assume that wasn't included with a Hamble mooring either.

A friend got a very unfriendly reception when he turned up in a small RIB with a faulty engine, wanting to tie up for an hour while he waited for the tide to return to the Hythe slipway. But that wouldn't really be relevant to a berthholder.

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

Could it be a bit bouncy with shipping wash?

 

[prv]

There's a wave break you have to dog-leg round when you go in and out, presumably to prevent that problem. I didn't notice any significant wash when we were there, but to be fair that was only ever for a couple of hours to pick up or drop off a charter boat. Worth the OP watching out for when he goes to visit.

Pete

 

[Dockhead]

It's far from the scene on the Hamble, but seems to be convenient in every other way. I sail all year round (going out this weekend in fact), so storage ashore is not important to me.

 

[jonic]

Ocean Village has a 10% discount if you go on the south side

 

[Joker]

Ocean Village has a 10% discount if you go on the south side

Why?

 

[jonic]

Why?

Because it's a bit of a walk to the Restaurants etc. But I'm having no problem with it.

 

[Seajet]

I can say from experience that Southampton at night can get very seriously rough even if one is choosey; and I'm not talking about waves !

 

[RobbieW]

I was in Town Quay for about 10 years up to 2006/7, not a bad place - the Platform opposite is one of the better So'ton pubs (& my fave). Parking is the main issue, I've no idea what the current situation is but its the first question I'd ask. Very handy for the boat show, especially the parking. Wash can be an issue but mainly from the RedJets on arrival; thier operating instructions are supposedly to slow whilst pointing up river, then make the turn into the berth. If they slow whilst pointing into the marina then a surge comes under the wave break, get good surge protectors - I had springs on heavy line for breast lines, rubbers didnt last. Sure its another hour up Southampton Water, often with a head wind toward the dockhead, but you can go to Hamble for an evening sail. The other downside is that the nearest chandlery is at Shamrock.

I think I heard a rumour that its being extended even as we speak ?

 

[Dockhead]

I was in Town Quay for about 10 years up to 2006/7, not a bad place - the Platform opposite is one of the better So'ton pubs (& my fave). Parking is the main issue, I've no idea what the current situation is but its the first question I'd ask. Very handy for the boat show, especially the parking. Wash can be an issue but mainly from the RedJets on arrival; thier operating instructions are supposedly to slow whilst pointing up river, then make the turn into the berth. If they slow whilst pointing into the marina then a surge comes under the wave break, get good surge protectors - I had springs on heavy line for breast lines, rubbers didnt last. Sure its another hour up Southampton Water, often with a head wind toward the dockhead, but you can go to Hamble for an evening sail. The other downside is that the nearest chandlery is at Shamrock.

I think I heard a rumour that its being extended even as we speak ?

They give two free parking passes with the berth, which I will not really need since I will mostly be using the excellent public transport links (walking distance to rail and bus).

Lack of a chandlery is not very good, however, especially since I will be mostly without a car. I guess I can dinghy around.

I don't think I would mind the trip up Soton Water. You can sail at least and there's no speed limit. The Hamble is tedious (if scenic) because it's narrow, crowded, no sailing, and 6 knots speed limit.

All in all, this is sounding pretty good. Unfortunately they have a waiting list.

 

[Dockhead]

I can say from experience that Southampton at night can get very seriously rough even if one is choosey; and I'm not talking about waves !

You mean street crime? That's not very good.

 

[deep denial]

yes, the crime potential is a bit of a worry. They used to have a police boat moored there, but that has now gone, so we wait rather nervously to see how bad things get.

 

[RobbieW]

They give two free parking passes with the berth

Its not the price but availability that is the concern, parking is shared with the public and businesses on the Quay. Overnight parking is fine but the spaces available during the day were very restricted.

I don't think I would mind the trip up Soton Water. You can sail at least and there's no speed limit. The Hamble is tedious (if scenic) because it's narrow, crowded, no sailing, and 6 knots speed limit.

There's a 6 knot limit above Weston Shelf (stbd channel mark), the RedJets exceed that with authority from VTS which contributes to the surge in Town Quay.

On street crime - is it worse than any other city ? Its not something I'm really aware of in So'ton, but I dont go into the city much anymore. It does have a large student population, two unis to support, which may contribute to a late night sense of unease. The Marina and Quay certainly used to have 24hr security with CCTV etc.

 

[prv]

I live in Southampton, and wouldn't have any particular qualms at walking through that area late at night. The marina always seemed fairly well enclosed and separated from the street when I was there.

Pete

 

[prv]

The Hamble is tedious (if scenic) because it's narrow, crowded, no sailing, and 6 knots speed limit.

No sailing?

I can understand not wanting to if it's really that constricted (haven't been there for years) but is it actually banned? All I was aware of was a "no spinnakers" rule

Six knots is faster than I can go under engine anyway

Pete

 

[Dockhead]

No sailing?

I can understand not wanting to if it's really that constricted (haven't been there for years) but is it actually banned? All I was aware of was a "no spinnakers" rule

Six knots is faster than I can go under engine anyway

Pete

LOL. Yes, it's officially banned, I suppose for yachts with motors (dinghys do sail). You would not want to sail in the Hamble anyway, although you will see someone flaunting the ban from time to time.

 

[Dockhead]

I live in Southampton, and wouldn't have any particular qualms at walking through that area late at night. The marina always seemed fairly well enclosed and separated from the street when I was there.

Pete

Would you have qualms about, say, walking to a grocery store late at night in that area? Or home from the pub? I am planning (hoping) to get by there without a car, if I do manage to get a berth there.

 

[Dockhead]

One more question to PRV: are there decent chandleries in Southampton?

 

[prv]

Would you have qualms about, say, walking to a grocery store late at night in that area? Or home from the pub?

No, not at all. A friend used to live nearby, so I used to walk home quite late after visiting for dinner / drinks. More recently (November), I was alongside the cruise ship terminal in Stavros for a couple of nights before we left for Lisbon, with runs ashore to the pubs in the area. Wouldn't cross my mind that there might be any trouble.

I'm not aware of any chandleries in that part of town. To be honest I tend to get most of my boat-specific bits online, with any distress purchases from Force 4 in Bursledon. There's a chandlers at Shamrock Quay (MDL marina on the Itchen) although I've only been there once and my memory was more of dubarry boots and this-season's oilies than toilet gaskets and epoxy.

Pete